The AI revolution is coming at us very quickly. I’m truly afraid that it will do nothing but compound the injustice that our world already endures. We look at new shiny things and we focus on the hype, the potential, the promises of a better future. Who really benefits? Or will it simply be another tech boom that further marginalizes our most disadvantaged communities?
I’m not sure I believe it should be that way. Ethereum, with its decentralized ethos, provides an alternative roadmap, one that would be more favorable to Africa. We, the Ethereum community, have a moral obligation to ensure that potential is fulfilled.
Centralized AI: Repeating Old Patterns?
Think about it. Today, massive corporations control the entire AI ecosystem. They depend on the unlimited datasets, which are usually pulled from global south countries without fair pay or approval. These new AI models are black boxes, their decision-making processes hidden and unaccountable.
Picture that same model as it gets deployed in Africa. Image recognition software used to identify farmers eligible for loans, but trained on data from Western agricultural practices, leading to inaccurate assessments and denying vital resources. Or AI-powered education platforms that entrench historical biases, short-circuiting opportunities for children from marginalized communities.
This isn't hypothetical. It's a very real risk. We've seen this playbook before: extract resources, exploit labor, and leave the local population with little to show for it. All of these examples play into the narrative of centralized AI, unchecked, which would be a return to a new digital colonialism.
Decentralized AI: A Beacon of Hope?
Here's where Ethereum steps in. As Eric Connor, a former core-dev of Ethereum puts it, he believes Ethereum’s transparency, decentralization, and aligned incentives can provide a true real alternative. That's why he's now focusing on AI. The very fact that someone with his expertise is yet making the bet on decentralized AI should serve as a wake-up call.
Ethereum’s smart contracts provide mutually verifiable, cryptographic records of AI model training. Our new advancement addresses the issue of AI’s “black box” problem directly, rendering it a relic of the past. Imagine an AI-powered healthcare diagnostic tool, for instance. Its data sources and algorithms should be completely transparent and easily audited. This kind of transparency is essential for establishing public trust and ensuring equity and fairness.
Additionally, token economies can provide rewards for the ethical collection of data and model building. Right now, massive corporations just suck up all the data and don’t return anything. Instead, let’s provide incentives for people who publish their data to train AI models, creating a more fair and sustainable ecosystem.
These aren't just pie-in-the-sky ideas. Projects such as Luna, AIXBT, and Botto, AI agents that are already living on Ethereum, are showing what’s possible. User-friendly tools such as Bankr and HeyAnon are developing new ways to simplify user interactions with the blockchain. Every day the barrier to entry gets lower.
- Education: AI-powered personalized learning platforms built on Ethereum, providing access to quality education in remote areas, with transparent algorithms and data usage policies.
- Healthcare: Decentralized AI diagnostics, trained on diverse datasets and accessible to communities with limited access to medical professionals.
- Agriculture: AI-powered precision farming tools, optimizing crop yields and resource utilization, while empowering farmers with control over their data.
- Finance: AI-driven microfinance platforms, providing access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs, with transparent lending practices.
Potential alone isn't enough. It is not enough to simply have this vision, we, as the Ethereum community, must demand it. We have to create the tooling, fund the research, and push for policies that foster decentralized AI on the continent of Africa.
Our Responsibility: Build, Fund, Advocate
Look, I get it. We know that AI is a complicated field and the task ahead of you is sadly overwhelming. And, yes, I realize Eric Connor is no longer a member of the Ethereum community. His unexpected exit to AI should be viewed not as a setback but as a signal. There’s a lot to unpack in Ethereum’s journey ahead, which extends far past the realm of decentralized finance. It’s focusing on building a forward-thinking, decentralized future where AI is used by everyone, not just the technocrats.
We have a choice. We can let the AI revolution be another chapter in the history of exploitation, or we can use Ethereum to create a more just and equitable world. Let's choose the latter. Together, let us ensure that the promise of AI uplifts the unheard voices of Africa.
- Investing in African AI developers: Providing grants, mentorship, and resources to help local talent build innovative solutions.
- Creating open-source AI models: Developing and sharing AI models that are specifically tailored to the needs of African communities.
- Promoting ethical data practices: Establishing standards for data collection and usage that respect privacy and ensure fair compensation.
- Educating policymakers: Raising awareness about the potential of decentralized AI to drive economic empowerment and social progress.
Look, I get it. AI is complex and the challenges are daunting. And, yes, I know Eric Connor left the Ethereum community. But his departure to AI should be seen as a signal, not a setback. It's a signal that the next frontier for Ethereum is not just building decentralized finance, but building a decentralized future – one where AI empowers everyone, not just the elites.
We have a choice. We can let the AI revolution be another chapter in the history of exploitation, or we can use Ethereum to create a more just and equitable world. Let's choose the latter. Let's make sure that the benefits of AI reach the forgotten voices of Africa.
Let's get to work.
